What lipo batts do you recommend?

[jonathan murphy]

I am going to try and go handheld overseas with my red as light as physically possible. I am using the switchblade and the smallhd monitor that weighs 6oz. I usually use my vmount batts but was going to try a lipo handheld config. I know you have to take care of them and I plan to. I also have the voltage alarm. 4 questions

1. What lipo batts are good brands?
2. Thoughts on mounting it to a stripped down red epic dragon?
3. If I want to get about 90 min of use off of a lipo how big does it need to be?
4. Any general thoughts on lipos with the red? Tips? etc.


Thanks!

Jonathan

 

[Enrique Blein]

I'd like to add Jonathan's request: what Lipo to Lemo cables do you reccomend? I'm also on the quest for a VERY lightweight set up.

 

[David E. Rogers]

The main problem is almost 100% of the RC type LiPo batteries come from China from a couple of factories. So probably no one brand has the edge on another. That being said a least look for one that has a high "C" indicating its discharge rate.

 

[Chris McKechnie]

Ok...Ive been using Lipos a lot...both for MoVI as well as handheld work. Ideally, you're going to want Lipos with at least a 5c rate...Epic/Scarlet are power hungry cameras and you need at least that to provide a consistent output.

You would need a HUGE lipo to get 1.5 hours of run time. Lipos are designed to provide high continuous as well as outburst current but not for that long. I use 4S 2600mah Zippy Lipos..they will power an Epic for roughly 25-30mins or so when brand new. Once they start to get used, they degrade. If you use them properly, they will last a while, meaning you don't want to drain t down until it powers the camera off, as that's very dangerous. Lipos are pretty volatile, so read up on them, store and charge them properly.

Ideally, you don't want to drain the battery passed 15-20%. So it's a good idea to be monitoring that voltage - the red cams do this for you, but you could also get a cheap voltage meter from China (size of a quarter) that will alert you once the voltage has dropped to a certain point.

For cabkes, I just had my buddy create one for me, but there are cables out there already made. Just make sure the polarity is correct.

The thing with Lipos is you need a lot of them for all day power. I use my bricks even on the MoVI now, since it's just such a pita to change batteries every 20 mins. It's great for an extremely light setup though. I just use industrial strength Velcro. Place one on the battery, one on the body along the side. Weighs nothing and holds it there.

For charging...make sure you're not charging them way beyond their charge rate. Battery could explode. You may also want to get an ammo box or charging box just in case a lipo goes bad on you. They have charge safe bags..lots of videos online. I use the freefly chargers, but there are a lot of cheaper alternatives out there.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[ericyoung]

Personally I wouldn't want to deal with the additional safety & charging/discharging issues of huge LiPos over LiIon bricks while travelling.

 

[jonathan murphy]

Ok...Ive been using Lipos a lot...both for MoVI as well as handheld work. Ideally, you're going to want Lipos with at least a 5c rate...Epic/Scarlet are power hungry cameras and you need at least that to provide a consistent output.

You would need a HUGE lipo to get 1.5 hours of run time. Lipos are designed to provide high continuous as well as outburst current but not for that long. I use 4S 2600mah Zippy Lipos..they will power an Epic for roughly 25-30mins or so when brand new. Once they start to get used, they degrade. If you use them properly, they will last a while, meaning you don't want to drain t down until it powers the camera off, as that's very dangerous. Lipos are pretty volatile, so read up on them, store and charge them properly.

Ideally, you don't want to drain the battery passed 15-20%. So it's a good idea to be monitoring that voltage - the red cams do this for you, but you could also get a cheap voltage meter from China (size of a quarter) that will alert you once the voltage has dropped to a certain point.

For cabkes, I just had my buddy create one for me, but there are cables out there already made. Just make sure the polarity is correct.

The thing with Lipos is you need a lot of them for all day power. I use my bricks even on the MoVI now, since it's just such a pita to change batteries every 20 mins. It's great for an extremely light setup though. I just use industrial strength Velcro. Place one on the battery, one on the body along the side. Weighs nothing and holds it there.

For charging...make sure you're not charging them way beyond their charge rate. Battery could explode. You may also want to get an ammo box or charging box just in case a lipo goes bad on you. They have charge safe bags..lots of videos online. I use the freefly chargers, but there are a lot of cheaper alternatives out there.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

You have no idea how helpful this is. Thanks so much! What does the voltage on the red get to when I need to change it? I did get the alarm as well just curious. I ended up getting 3 zippy 4000mah 25C batts for now to see if I like the system and I got this charger http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V5XE9O4/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1437343715&sr=1&keywords=lipo+charger which looks similar to the freefly charger. Will this type of charger discharge the battery for storage like you are supposed to do? And when you say make sure not to charge them way beyond their charge rate what do you mean?

Thanks again! Seriously its hard finding people who know stuff on the subject!

 

[Chris McKechnie]

You have no idea how helpful this is. Thanks so much! What does the voltage on the red get to when I need to change it? I did get the alarm as well just curious. I ended up getting 3 zippy 4000mah 25C batts for now to see if I like the system and I got this charger http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V5XE9O4/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1437343715&sr=1&keywords=lipo+charger which looks similar to the freefly charger. Will this type of charger discharge the battery for storage like you are supposed to do? And when you say make sure not to charge them way beyond their charge rate what do you mean?

Thanks again! Seriously its hard finding people who know stuff on the subject!

The voltage readout as to when to pull the battery will be different for each battery. I had a 2650, 14.8V lip...so I would pull it at around 14-14.4 volts since it gets up to 16.8v when fully charged. Remember, when monitoring the voltage, make sure it's being monitored when the power is being drawn, not when nothing is attached to the Lipo since it will go up a good chunk of change when you shut the Epic/Scarlet down.

Most chargers won't discharge batteries...your best bet is to either hook up a light bulb with a custom cable, or, have your RED drain them. A pain, I know, but you'll get an idea as to how many you need charged throughout the day, so hopefully you're not having to do this often.